AAIB investigation to amateur-built balloon (DB-6R), G-CMFS
Safety Recommendation: 2024-008
Safety Recommendation Text
It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority publish guidance on the design, testing and inspection of amateur-built balloons to reduce the risk of accidents due to unsafe conditions such as parachute stall.
CAA latest update
The CAA is in the final stages of developing guidance on the design, testing and inspection of amateur-built balloons to reduce the risk of accidents due to unsafe conditions such as parachute stall.
The CAA has liaised with the amateur-built balloon community to prepare guidance in the form of webpages on the CAA website to provide best practice guidance on the design, testing and inspecting of amateur-built balloons. Our liaison with the BBAC also continues, with their assistance in providing guidance to the community.
It is now our intention to revise our current Safety Directive (SD) and not issue a Safety Notice (SN) as it is felt that the proposed webpage guidance will negate the need for a SN. We shall revise our SD to further address the policy on what types of balloon can and cannot be manufactured in this unregulated environment.
Next update due
May 2026
Safety Recommendation: 2024-012
Safety Recommendation Text
It is recommended that the Civil Aviation Authority publish guidance for the safe oversight of competition balloon flying in the UK, to ensure the risks associated with the activity are appropriately understood by competitors and managed by competition organisers.
CAA latest update
The CAA has been developing safety guidance for balloon events to ensure the risks associated with competition balloon flying are understood by competitors and managed by competition organisers in the form of a non-statutory CAP document.
This has been produced with the assistance of representatives from the British Balloon and Airship Club and the wider ballooning community from across the event and competition disciplines, incorporating best/recommended practices from the community. This document is currently undergoing consultation until Friday 13th February. Following subsequent amendments post-consultation, the document is intended for publication in Spring 2026.
Next update due
May 2026